First of all, you have to secure a domain name which suits your business
After securing domain name you should apply for trademark registration, no marketing expense should be incurred with trademark registration. After obtaining Trademark Registration (TR) number follow the below mentioned step by step guide.
Step-by-Step Guide to Start an E-commerce Business in Pakistan
1. Choose a Profitable Niche
Start with a focused category instead of selling everything.
Popular niches in Pakistan:
- Clothing (men/women/kids)
- Cosmetics & skincare
- Mobile accessories
- Home & kitchen products
- Fitness items
Tip: Look for high demand + low competition products.
2. Decide Your Business Model
Choose how you’ll sell:
- Inventory-based: Buy stock and store it
- Dropshipping: Supplier ships directly to customer
- Print-on-demand: Customized products (t-shirts, mugs)
Beginners often start with dropshipping or small inventory.
3. Source Your Products
Options:
- Local wholesale markets (Karachi, Lahore)
- Manufacturers
- Import from China (Alibaba, AliExpress)
Always test product quality before selling.
4. Register Your Business (Optional but Recommended)
For credibility and scaling:
- Register with Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan
- Register for tax with Federal Board of Revenue
You can start small without registration, but formal registration helps with growth.
5. Create Your Online Store
Option A: Marketplace (Easiest)
- Daraz Pakistan
- Facebook Marketplace
Quick start, but less control.
Option B: Your Own Website
- Shopify
- WooCommerce
More control and branding.
6. Set Up Payment Methods
Common options in Pakistan:
- Cash on Delivery (COD) ✅ (most popular)
- Bank transfer
- Mobile wallets:
- Easypaisa
- JazzCash
7. Arrange Delivery & Logistics
Partner with courier services:
- TCS Pakistan
- Leopards Courier
- Pakistan Post
Choose based on rates, coverage, and reliability.
8. Build Your Brand Presence
Create:
- Facebook page
- Instagram account
- WhatsApp Business account
Post regularly with:
- Product images
- Videos
- Customer reviews
9. Start Marketing
Effective methods:
- Facebook & Instagram ads
- Influencer marketing
- TikTok content
- SEO (if you have a website)
Start with a small budget and scale what works.
10. Manage Orders & Customer Service
- Respond quickly to messages
- Confirm COD orders via call/WhatsApp
- Handle returns professionally
Good service = repeat customers
11. Track Finances & Scale
- Record expenses & profit
- Identify best-selling products
- Expand product line
Beginner Tips (Important)
- Start small (even with 5–10 products)
- Focus on quality + trust
- Avoid investing heavily at the start
- Test products before scaling
Estimated Startup Cost (Pakistan)
- Basic: PKR 20,000 – 50,000
- Moderate: PKR 50,000 – 150,000
- Advanced: PKR 200,000+